SPRINGS REJECTS DEVELOPER'S COMPROMISE

CORAL SPRINGS -- City commissioners Wednesday night rejected a compromise from Coral Ridge Properties in a continuing battle over how much land the developer owes the city for a proposed 142-acre regional park in exchange for developing the West Glen neighborhood.

At a special meeting, commissioners unanimously rejected the compromise, which would have put all 51 disputed acres in escrow until the issue is resolved. They said it would put in escrow land to which the city is entitled.

Commissioners voted 4-1 to offer a counterproposal that would put in escrow only 18 of the 51 acres and give the city the deed for the remaining 33 acres.

"A wall has been built between the city and the developer on this issue, and I see no purpose in building it any higher," Commissioner Donald Sanders said.

Commissioner Jim Gordon opposed the city proposal, saying it set a bad precedent in dealing with CRP, the city's largest developer.

Attorneys for the city and CRP said a compromise would speed up a lawsuit that asks a judge to interpret a 1979 agreement between CRP and the city for a park near Sample Road and the Sawgrass Expressway.

CRP has said that roads and canals should be included in its tally of park lands, but the city has refused to accept less than 51 "usable" acres in exchange for development of West Glen.

CRP has asked a judge to strike down a city resolution that bars building in West Glen until the park dispute is resolved. William J. Berger, attorney for CRP, has argued that the resolution damages the developer while the trial is pending.

The counterproposal approved by the city on Wednesday would allow building in West Glen. But it would keep the resolution on the books to apply to any future development in which park land was in dispute.

If CRP rejects the city's counterproposal, the parties are expected to meet today before a district court judge for a ruling on whether the city can prevent building while the park case is pending.

City commissioners also voted unanimously to ask the County Commission to get involved in the regional park issue.